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'Zombies' Star Carla Jeffery Dead at 33 as Disney, Co-Stars Mourn
The actress who played cheerleader Bree across Disney Channel's 'Zombies' franchise died September 1, her management confirmed, with no cause of death disclosed. Tributes poured in from Disney Entertainment Television and co-stars Milo Manheim and Chandler Kinney.
Carla Jeffery, the actress best known for playing cheerleader Bree across Disney Channel's Zombies film franchise, has died at age 33. Her longtime management company, Alexanders Talent Management, confirmed her death on Instagram, saying she passed away September 1. No cause of death has been disclosed.
"Carla joined the Alexanders Talent Management family at the age of 12," the agency wrote. "For more than 20 years, we had the privilege of watching her grow into a beautiful, vibrant, and incredibly talented woman whose radiant smile could light up any room."
Jeffery was born July 10, 1993, in Houston, Texas, and had a twin brother, Carlon Jeffery, who also became an actor, appearing on Disney Channel's A.N.T. Farm. She broke into film with a role in 2006's Phat Girlz and went on to appear on iCarly, HBO's Curb Your Enthusiasm, Good Luck Charlie, Shake It Up, Scream Queens and Crazy Ex-Girlfriend before landing the role that would define her career.
A Zombies mainstay
Jeffery was cast in 2018 as Bree, an aspiring cheerleader and best friend to lead character Addison, in Disney Channel's original movie Zombies. She reprised the part through sequels Zombies 2 (2020) and Zombies 3 (2022), and returned to voice the character in the 2024 animated spinoff Zombies: The Re-Animated Series, according to ABC News.
Disney Entertainment Television issued its own statement mourning the actress: "Carla Jeffery's extraordinary talent, warmth and spirit left an indelible mark on everyone who had the privilege of working with her."
"The sweetest person I have ever met. I love you." — Milo Manheim, Jeffery's Zombies co-star
Zombies co-star Chandler Kinney, who played Addison, remembered Jeffery as "the brightest shining light in any room she walked into. the kindest person you'd ever meet. the most beautiful soul," while Manheim, who starred as zombie love interest Zed, shared the tribute above on social media.
Jeffery's death was first reported by Variety and confirmed by outlets including Deadline and Billboard. None have reported a cause of death, and her family and representatives have not indicated whether one will be released.
The Zombies franchise, which followed a fictional high school where zombies, werewolves and humans coexist, became one of Disney Channel's most successful movie properties of the last decade, spawning three feature films, spinoff soundtracks and a devoted young fanbase who grew up alongside the cast. Jeffery's Bree was a fan favorite for her comic timing and cheer routines opposite Kinney's Addison.
No funeral or memorial details have been made public as of Thursday morning. Tributes from fans and fellow Disney Channel alumni continued to circulate across social media following the announcement.